CHENNAI: Afghan spinner Noor Ahmad silenced critics with a mesmerizing spell of 4-18, justifying his hefty Rs 10 crore price tag as Chennai Super Kings defeated Mumbai Indians by four wickets in their IPL 2025 opener at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday.
The 20-year-old left-arm chinaman bowler, making his debut in CSK’s iconic yellow jersey, delivered a spin-bowling masterclass that left Mumbai’s batsmen bewildered and restricted them to a below-par 155-9 after being put in to bat.
“He is right up there with the best in the shortest format,” CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad had declared confidently on the eve of the match. Noor didn’t just live up to those expectations—he exceeded them with a performance that earned him the Man of the Match award.
The Afghan sensation dismantled Mumbai’s middle order, claiming the prized wickets of stand-in captain Suryakumar Yadav (29 off 26 balls) with a beautiful turning delivery that resulted in a lightning-quick stumping by MS Dhoni. He then trapped the dangerous Tilak Varma (31 off 25 balls) LBW with a deceptive incoming ball, before adding Robin Minz and Naman Dhir to his list of victims.
Khaleel Ahmed (3-29) provided the perfect start for CSK with early breakthroughs, while Noor clearly outshone his more experienced spin colleagues Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. A 51-run partnership between Suryakumar and Tilak, along with Deepak Chahar’s late cameo (28 not out off 15 balls), helped Mumbai avoid complete embarrassment.
In reply, CSK’s chase was powered by a blistering knock from captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, who sacrificed his opening slot to accommodate ‘impact player’ Rahul Tripathi but made a statement from the number three position. Gaikwad raced to his fastest IPL fifty off just 22 balls, eventually departing for 53 off 26 deliveries (6 fours, 3 sixes).
New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra played the perfect foil with an unbeaten 65 off 45 balls (2 fours, 4 sixes), showing remarkable composure in his first match for the franchise. The left-hander anchored the chase and remained at the crease alongside fan-favorite MS Dhoni when the winning runs were scored in the final over.
Mumbai’s debutant spinner Vignesh Puthur (3-32) threatened to turn the game with a spirited bowling performance, but CSK maintained control throughout most of their chase to secure the victory.
The win gives CSK an early advantage in the points table as they continue their quest for a record-extending sixth IPL title, while Mumbai Indians will need to regroup quickly after this disappointing start to their campaign.